Celebrity chef James Martin has opened up about his love for his home county of Yorkshire, admitting he would be “lynched” if he didn’t end up back there
Celebrity chef James Martin has candidly expressed that he’ll be “lynched” if he doesn’t make his way back to Yorkshire. The 53 year old culinary star was raised on a sprawling 100-acre farm within the Castle Howard estate and cherishes his visits back home whenever possible.
James currently divides his time among the Cotswolds, Manchester, and Hampshire, where he oversees his trio of restaurants. His current residence is in Hampshire, from where he broadcasts his show James Martin’s Saturday Morning, filmed in a specially-constructed kitchen.
His seven-bedroom Hampshire abode features an outdoor kitchen, a greenhouse, and sits on 1.5 acres of land. The bespoke outdoor cooking space includes a top-of-the-line wood-fired pizza oven, a large central island, and stylish green industrial lighting, setting the scene for the ultimate culinary experience.
READ MORE: Real reason Matty Healy missed Charli xcx and The 1975 bandmate George Daniel’s wedding
Segments of his ITV programme are shot within a converted garage. It’s believed that the property is situated near James’ eatery The Kitchen at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa in New Milton.
Despite residing in the south east, James’ affection for Yorkshire remains evident. He informed his audience that he would be heading to God’s Own County during the summer hiatus of his weekend show, reports Yorkshire Live.
In a conversation with Food and Travel, James reminisced about his formative years: “I had an amazing childhood. We farmed 100 acres, so we learned the value of graft, but also about food.
“It’s an amazing lesson in life to learn at that age: to respect the people who produce food, that it’s not just a given – people have to grow it, make it, produce it – and it also gives you a respect doing that as a career. I didn’t enjoy school, I hated it, but I loved home life. I was always outdoorsy, mending fences, fixing tractors.”
He reveals the farm faced initial struggles as his father “wasn’t a farmer by trade,” having a background in catering instead. Nevertheless, the family persevered, eventually introducing chickens and pigs to their land.
Yorkshire produce has consistently played a significant role in James’ life – he even hosted a culinary tour across the county – shaping his approach to cooking. Yet, he admits it’s the local folk that draw him back to his roots.
He humorously notes that in London, if you strike up a conversation, “think you’re going to mug them” whereas in Yorkshire, according to James, the people are “very honest and much friendlier”.
While he holds the Yorkshire populace in high regard, James doesn’t shy away from praising the region’s stunning coastline, the Yorkshire Moors, and the lush woodlands, labelling the area as “magical” and “diverse”.
Despite his deep affection for Yorkshire, it’s somewhat unexpected that James remains settled in Hampshire, though relocating would present practical difficulties with his widespread ventures. However, James maintains that he has established a “routine” now.
He reveals: “I know where I’m going on which day, every week, and the travelling isn’t too bad.” When probed about a potential return to his roots, James admits: “I’ll get lynched if I don’t end up in Yorkshire. I love Yorkshire.”
Catch Saturday Morning with James Martin at 9.30am on ITV One. This week’s show, originally aired in 2023, features James in conversation with crooner Jack Savoretti, Midsomer Murders’ Neil Dudgeon, and culinary wizards Glynn Purnell and Sabrina Gidda.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads